Do you need a solicitor to remortgage?

Yes, in almost all cases a remortgage involves some legal work, usually called conveyancing, even though many lenders bundle this into a free legal package so you may not need to arrange or pay for a solicitor separately. The legal work checks the title of your property, redeems your old mortgage and registers the new one, and it is a normal part of remortgaging rather than something extra you need to organise yourself.

What does a solicitor do in a remortgage?

The legal work in a remortgage, sometimes done by a solicitor and sometimes by a licensed conveyancer, typically covers:

• Checking the title of your property to confirm ownership and identify anything that needs resolving, such as a restriction or a charge from a previous lender.
• Redeeming your existing mortgage, which means paying it off using funds from your new lender.
• Registering the new mortgage with the Land Registry.
• Handling any transfer of equity, if someone is being added to or removed from the mortgage.
• Dealing with leasehold matters, if your property is leasehold, such as checking the remaining lease length and any notices needed to the freeholder.

For a straightforward remortgage, most of this happens behind the scenes with limited input needed from you beyond signing documents and answering queries.

What documents will a solicitor ask for?

Even where the legal work is straightforward, a solicitor or conveyancer will usually need to confirm a few basic things before completing your remortgage:

• Proof of your identity and current address, in line with anti-money-laundering checks that apply to all conveyancing.
• Details of your existing mortgage, including the account number and any redemption figure from your current lender.
• Confirmation of who owns the property and how, especially important if a transfer of equity is involved.
• Any relevant leasehold information, such as the lease document and details of the freeholder or managing agent, if your property is leasehold.

Having these ready in advance can help the legal work move more quickly, since gathering documents partway through the process is a common cause of delay.

When is legal work included for free?

Many lenders offer a free legal package as part of a standard remortgage, using a solicitor from their own approved panel. This is common for simple, like-for-like remortgages where you are not adding a name, dealing with a complex leasehold, or making other significant changes.

Always check with your lender or adviser exactly what is included, since offers and terms vary and can change.

Do you need your own solicitor, or can you use the lender’s?

For many remortgages, using the solicitor provided as part of a lender’s free legal package is straightforward and keeps costs down. There are situations where you might want your own solicitor instead:

• You want independent advice separate from the lender’s panel firm.
• Your situation involves a more complex legal matter, such as a transfer of equity after a divorce or separation.
• You already have a solicitor you trust and prefer continuity.

Using your own solicitor may mean paying for the legal work yourself rather than through a free package, so it is worth weighing the cost against the benefit for your situation. Some people prefer continuity with a solicitor who already knows their circumstances, particularly if they went through a complex purchase or a previous remortgage together, while others are happy to use whichever firm is offered as part of the deal. Our guide on how much it costs to remortgage covers legal fees alongside the other costs involved.

What can slow down the legal work?

Legal delays are one of the more common reasons a remortgage takes longer than expected. Missing documents, unresolved title issues, a short lease on a leasehold property, or a transfer of equity can all add time. Our guide on how long a remortgage takes explains the timeline in more detail and how to help things move smoothly.

What this means if you are remortgaging with adverse credit

The legal work involved in a remortgage is about the property and its title, not your credit history, so a CCJ, default or other adverse credit does not usually change what a solicitor needs to do. Your credit file is assessed separately, during the lender’s underwriting, and does not typically add to the legal process.

Where adverse credit can matter is in choosing which lender to use, since some specialist lenders considering adverse credit may have their own panel arrangements or requirements. A specialist adviser can help you understand what to expect. If your remortgage is also part of a plan to consolidate debts, remember that this makes those debts secured on your home, so it is worth reading about debt consolidation remortgages first, and getting free, impartial advice from MoneyHelper, StepChange or National Debtline if you are struggling with debt.